Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has expressed his discontent regarding coach Andrew McDonald's remarks about the Indian team allegedly "intimidating" young player Sam Konstas during Day 1 of the Sydney Test. The young cricketer found himself in a confrontation with India’s stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah, at the non-striker's end. Ultimately, Bumrah had the upper hand, as he took the wicket of Usman Khawaja and celebrated exuberantly by approaching Konstas.

Subsequently, the entire Indian team rushed towards Konstas. In the days that followed, Australia’s coach Andrew McDonald accused the Indian players of intimidating the young talent.

In response, India’s coach Gautam Gambhir refuted this allegation, asserting that cricket is a game for resilient individuals and that there is no place for being "soft."

Brad Hogg contends that Andrew McDonald's comments were excessive and unwarranted. 

In a discussion on his YouTube channel, Hogg remarked, "The coach is suggesting that the Indian players were intimidating Konstas, and there is a mental health concern involved. I believe that is an overreach."

He further stated, "If you wish to engage in banter with the opposing team, or if you want to hit boundaries and then confront the bowler as he returns to his mark, you must also be prepared to face the consequences of your actions."

'Talk to your own players'

Brad Hogg also asserts that McDonald should focus on communicating with his own players rather than commenting on the actions of the opposing team.

This incident marks not the first occasion on which Konstas has engaged in a contentious interaction with an Indian player. During the Melbourne Test, he was involved in a shoulder-barging altercation with Virat Kohli, resulting in Kohli being fined 20 percent of his match fees.

"The coach ought to refrain from discussing the intimidation by the Indian team. Instead, he should concentrate on advising his player on how to manage any retaliation from the opposition, rather than merely defending him. If one is willing to dish it out, one must also be prepared to receive it," Hogg stated.

Australia recently triumphed in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, securing a six-wicket victory in the Sydney Test. Konstas underperformed in both innings, and now he faces a significant challenge ahead—the two-match series against Sri Lanka.

Read Also: Neeraj Chopra Reveals Roger Federer's Love for Indian Food in Candid Interview

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!